May 31, 2004
False Solomon's Seal or Wild Spikenard
Similacina racemosa
These native New England wildflowers are growing
near the Beech path in back of Neville Place. They are being
crowded by a large patch of non-native lilies-of-the-valley
(Convallaria majalis) which is also crowding out other native
wildflowers.

False Solomon's Seal can easily be distinguished from other
Solomon's Seals (Polygonatum species) by the flowers: the
former has a diffuse spray of small flowers at the growing tip,
as in the photo; the latter has elongated bell-shaped flowers
growing along the stem at the base of the leaves.